[, ]a situation in which there is suddenly not enough of sth, especially money （突发的）不足；（尤指）缺钱◆The company is facing a severe cash crunch. 公司正面临着严重的现金短缺。⨁a cash / credit / liquidity / supply crunch 现金／信贷／流动资金／供应短缺⨁an energy / a labour crunch 能源／劳动力短缺⨁to avoid / ease / experience / face a crunch 避免／缓解／经受／面临短缺